Portagr
BWCA routesSnowbank Lake to Disappointment Lake Loop

Snowbank Lake to Disappointment Lake Loop

Starting from EP 27 Snowbank Lake

3 days
Duration
Easy
Difficulty
15 mi
Total distance
13 mi
Paddling
11
Portages · 633 rods
Snowbank Lake
Entry point · Kawishiwi (Ely)

About this route

The Snowbank Lake to Disappointment Lake loop route that begins and ends at Entry Point 27 (Snowbank Lake). From the large open water of Snowbank, the route threads south through a chain of small, connected lakes before reaching Disappointment Lake and returning to the entry point by way of Parent Lake.

The heart of this trip is the string of small wilderness lakes between Snowbank and Disappointment — Boot, Abinodji, Swing, Gibson, Cattyman, Adventure, Jitterbug, and Ahsub. These interconnected lakes are linked by a series of short portages and offer intimate, forested paddling with quiet waters and close shorelines. Disappointment Lake opens the route back up with longer stretches of open water and island-dotted views, while Snowbank and Parent bookend the loop with broader, more exposed paddling.

This route suits paddlers who enjoy variety and don't mind frequent portages. The many short carries make it a good fit for those comfortable moving canoe and gear over land regularly, and the mix of small lakes and open water offers flexibility in how far you travel each day. Campsites along Disappointment and Snowbank give options for setting your own pace over a multi-day trip.

Route Highlights

  • Classic loop through the Snowbank and Disappointment lake country
  • A chain of small, interconnected wilderness lakes
  • Frequent short portages linking quiet, forested waters
  • Flexible camping opportunities for a multi-day loop

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Snowbank Lake → Ahsub Lake

Paddle out from the entry point and work south through the chain of small lakes — Boot, Abinodji, Swing, Gibson, Cattyman, Adventure, and Jitterbug — settling into the route's steady rhythm of short portages and quiet waters.

Day 2

Ahsub Lake → Disappointment Lake

Continue to Disappointment Lake, where the route opens onto broader water and island-filled views. Take time to settle in and explore the lake's forested shoreline.

Day 3

Disappointment Lake → Snowbank Lake

Close the loop by paddling through Parent Lake and back onto Snowbank, crossing open water to return to the entry point at Entry Point 27.

Route breakdown

Portage · 114 rods
Portage · 73 rods
Portage · 53 rods
Portage · 41 rods
Portage · 39 rods
Portage · 9 rods
Portage · 54 rods
Portage · 31 rods
Paddle through (stream)
Portage · 23 rods
Portage · 86 rods
Portage · 110 rods

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